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Who was the Soviet leader who succeeded Konstantin Chernenko?
Who was the Soviet leader who succeeded Konstantin Chernenko?
What was the main focus of Reagan's foreign policy?
What was the main focus of Reagan's foreign policy?
What was the name of the speech in which Reagan referred to the Soviet Union as the 'Evil Empire'?
What was the name of the speech in which Reagan referred to the Soviet Union as the 'Evil Empire'?
What was the name of the Soviet intelligence service mentioned in the passage?
What was the name of the Soviet intelligence service mentioned in the passage?
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Who was the last leader of the Soviet Union?
Who was the last leader of the Soviet Union?
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What was the name of the defense initiative proposed by Reagan?
What was the name of the defense initiative proposed by Reagan?
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What was Operation Able Archer?
What was Operation Able Archer?
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What was the duration of Brezhnev's leadership?
What was the duration of Brezhnev's leadership?
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What was President Reagan's top priority in his foreign policy?
What was President Reagan's top priority in his foreign policy?
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What was the outcome of the International Court's verdict on the US support to Contras in Nicaragua?
What was the outcome of the International Court's verdict on the US support to Contras in Nicaragua?
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Who was the political scientist who criticized the Carter administration's demand for liberalization and political freedom from its allied dictatorships?
Who was the political scientist who criticized the Carter administration's demand for liberalization and political freedom from its allied dictatorships?
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What was the purpose of the arms sales to Iran through Israel?
What was the purpose of the arms sales to Iran through Israel?
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What was the outcome of the US support to the dictatorial regime in El Salvador?
What was the outcome of the US support to the dictatorial regime in El Salvador?
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What was the name of the amendment that prohibited US aid to the Contras in Nicaragua?
What was the name of the amendment that prohibited US aid to the Contras in Nicaragua?
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What was the result of the US invasion of Grenada in 1983?
What was the result of the US invasion of Grenada in 1983?
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What was the main argument of Jeanne Kirkpatrick's thesis?
What was the main argument of Jeanne Kirkpatrick's thesis?
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What was the main demand of the East Germans during the protests?
What was the main demand of the East Germans during the protests?
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What was the goal of the new law announced by Gunther Schabowski?
What was the goal of the new law announced by Gunther Schabowski?
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Why did Gunther Schabowski's announcement cause confusion?
Why did Gunther Schabowski's announcement cause confusion?
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What was the initial response of the guards at the crossing points?
What was the initial response of the guards at the crossing points?
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What happened at the Bornholmer Straße border crossing at 11.30 pm?
What happened at the Bornholmer Straße border crossing at 11.30 pm?
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What did the West Berliners do when they met the East Berliners who crossed the border?
What did the West Berliners do when they met the East Berliners who crossed the border?
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What did the young people do when they reached the wall?
What did the young people do when they reached the wall?
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What was the result of Gunther Schabowski's announcement?
What was the result of Gunther Schabowski's announcement?
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What was the significance of the INF Treaty?
What was the significance of the INF Treaty?
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What kind of missiles were excluded from the INF Treaty?
What kind of missiles were excluded from the INF Treaty?
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What was the result of the INF Treaty on the Soviet nuclear capacity?
What was the result of the INF Treaty on the Soviet nuclear capacity?
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What was the percentage of reduction in the superpower's nuclear capacity as a result of the INF Treaty?
What was the percentage of reduction in the superpower's nuclear capacity as a result of the INF Treaty?
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What was the primary goal of Mikhail Gorbachev's reforms in the Soviet Union?
What was the primary goal of Mikhail Gorbachev's reforms in the Soviet Union?
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What were the two main elements of Mikhail Gorbachev's reforms programme?
What were the two main elements of Mikhail Gorbachev's reforms programme?
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What was the result of Mikhail Gorbachev's reforms programme?
What was the result of Mikhail Gorbachev's reforms programme?
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How is Mikhail Gorbachev viewed in Russia?
How is Mikhail Gorbachev viewed in Russia?
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What was the unintended consequence of the Soviet Union's support to Eastern European regimes?
What was the unintended consequence of the Soviet Union's support to Eastern European regimes?
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What was the estimated cost of Soviet support to the Polish regime in 1981?
What was the estimated cost of Soviet support to the Polish regime in 1981?
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What was the result of granting people more political freedom and power to the republics in the Soviet Union?
What was the result of granting people more political freedom and power to the republics in the Soviet Union?
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What was the event that highlighted the Soviet leadership's failure to acknowledge the severity of a disaster?
What was the event that highlighted the Soviet leadership's failure to acknowledge the severity of a disaster?
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What was the outcome of the Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine and Belarus?
What was the outcome of the Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine and Belarus?
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What was the name of the Polish movement that emerged in 1980?
What was the name of the Polish movement that emerged in 1980?
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What was the event that the children of the party leadership were flown out of, while the regular children were demanded to participate?
What was the event that the children of the party leadership were flown out of, while the regular children were demanded to participate?
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What was the symbol of the failing Soviet system?
What was the symbol of the failing Soviet system?
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What was the main reason for the US invasion of Iraq?
What was the main reason for the US invasion of Iraq?
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What was the main consequence of the US invasion of Iraq?
What was the main consequence of the US invasion of Iraq?
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What was the Reagan doctrine?
What was the Reagan doctrine?
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What was the relationship between the US and the Mujahedeen?
What was the relationship between the US and the Mujahedeen?
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What was the event that led to the creation of ISIS?
What was the event that led to the creation of ISIS?
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What was the outcome of the US sanctions on Iraq?
What was the outcome of the US sanctions on Iraq?
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What was the result of the open elections held in Poland in June 1989?
What was the result of the open elections held in Poland in June 1989?
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What was the outcome of the martial law introduced in Poland in 1981?
What was the outcome of the martial law introduced in Poland in 1981?
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What was the significance of the roundtable meeting in February 1989?
What was the significance of the roundtable meeting in February 1989?
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What was the result of Gorbachev's promise in April 1989?
What was the result of Gorbachev's promise in April 1989?
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What was the result of the gradual opening of borders with Austria in May 1989?
What was the result of the gradual opening of borders with Austria in May 1989?
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What was the purpose of the military maneuvers on the Polish border in 1980?
What was the purpose of the military maneuvers on the Polish border in 1980?
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What was the outcome of Jimmy Carter's warning to the Kremlin in December 1980?
What was the outcome of Jimmy Carter's warning to the Kremlin in December 1980?
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What was the significance of the referendum held in Poland in November 1987?
What was the significance of the referendum held in Poland in November 1987?
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What event sparked a geopolitical shift in the Middle East during the 1980s?
What event sparked a geopolitical shift in the Middle East during the 1980s?
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What was the outcome of the Iraq-Iran War?
What was the outcome of the Iraq-Iran War?
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What was the consequence of the targeting of oil tankers during the Iraq-Iran war?
What was the consequence of the targeting of oil tankers during the Iraq-Iran war?
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Why did Iraq decide to invade Kuwait?
Why did Iraq decide to invade Kuwait?
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Why did the international community start getting involved in the Iraq-Iran war?
Why did the international community start getting involved in the Iraq-Iran war?
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What was the result of the American mistake on 3 July 1988?
What was the result of the American mistake on 3 July 1988?
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What was the consequence of the Iranian revolution on Saddam Hussein's decision?
What was the consequence of the Iranian revolution on Saddam Hussein's decision?
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What was the impact of the Iranian revolution on the Middle East?
What was the impact of the Iranian revolution on the Middle East?
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What was the Carter doctrine concerned with?
What was the Carter doctrine concerned with?
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What was the result of the Iraqi apology for attacking the USS Stark?
What was the result of the Iraqi apology for attacking the USS Stark?
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What was the outcome of the US invasion of Iraq?
What was the outcome of the US invasion of Iraq?
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What was the significance of the Iranian revolution?
What was the significance of the Iranian revolution?
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What was the outcome of the USS Stark incident?
What was the outcome of the USS Stark incident?
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What is the importance of understanding past events?
What is the importance of understanding past events?
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Why did both countries want to end the war?
Why did both countries want to end the war?
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What was the context of the tanker war?
What was the context of the tanker war?
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What was the significance of Hungary opening its border with Austria in May 1989?
What was the significance of Hungary opening its border with Austria in May 1989?
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What was the consequence of Gorbachev's visit to East Germany in October 1989?
What was the consequence of Gorbachev's visit to East Germany in October 1989?
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What was the purpose of the new law conceived by Krenz's government in East Germany?
What was the purpose of the new law conceived by Krenz's government in East Germany?
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What was the outcome of the events in East Germany in November 1989?
What was the outcome of the events in East Germany in November 1989?
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What was the result of the changes in East Germany and Hungary?
What was the result of the changes in East Germany and Hungary?
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What was the impact of the opening of Hungary's border with Austria on East Germany?
What was the impact of the opening of Hungary's border with Austria on East Germany?
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Who succeeded Honecker as the leader of East Germany?
Who succeeded Honecker as the leader of East Germany?
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What was the significance of December 23, 1989, in relation to East Germany and West Germany?
What was the significance of December 23, 1989, in relation to East Germany and West Germany?
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What was the name of the American vessel that was attacked by Iraqi air fighters, killing 37 American soldiers?
What was the name of the American vessel that was attacked by Iraqi air fighters, killing 37 American soldiers?
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What was the phase of the war known for the targeting of oil tankers?
What was the phase of the war known for the targeting of oil tankers?
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How many passengers died when the Americans shot down a commercial Iranian airplane?
How many passengers died when the Americans shot down a commercial Iranian airplane?
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Why did the international community start getting involved in the conflict?
Why did the international community start getting involved in the conflict?
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What was the reason given by Iraq for attacking the USS Stark?
What was the reason given by Iraq for attacking the USS Stark?
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What was the role of the Americans in the Persian Gulf region during this period?
What was the role of the Americans in the Persian Gulf region during this period?
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Why did both countries want an end to the war?
Why did both countries want an end to the war?
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What was the Carter doctrine?
What was the Carter doctrine?
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What was the primary reason for the US to support the Contras in Nicaragua?
What was the primary reason for the US to support the Contras in Nicaragua?
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What was the outcome of the International Court's verdict on the US support to Contras in Nicaragua?
What was the outcome of the International Court's verdict on the US support to Contras in Nicaragua?
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What was the significance of Jeane Kirkpatrick's criticism of the Carter administration?
What was the significance of Jeane Kirkpatrick's criticism of the Carter administration?
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What was the purpose of the US aid to the dictatorial regime in El Salvador?
What was the purpose of the US aid to the dictatorial regime in El Salvador?
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What was the significance of the Boland II amendment?
What was the significance of the Boland II amendment?
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What was the result of the US blockade of World Bank loans to Nicaragua?
What was the result of the US blockade of World Bank loans to Nicaragua?
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What was the significance of the arms trade deal set up by the Reagan administration?
What was the significance of the arms trade deal set up by the Reagan administration?
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What was the US response to the Sandinista revolution in Nicaragua?
What was the US response to the Sandinista revolution in Nicaragua?
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What was the primary demand of the East Germans during the protests?
What was the primary demand of the East Germans during the protests?
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What was the intended effect of the new law announced by Gunther Schabowski?
What was the intended effect of the new law announced by Gunther Schabowski?
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Why did Gunther Schabowski's announcement cause confusion?
Why did Gunther Schabowski's announcement cause confusion?
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What was the initial response of the guards at the crossing points?
What was the initial response of the guards at the crossing points?
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What was the significance of the Bornholmer Straße border crossing at 11.30 pm?
What was the significance of the Bornholmer Straße border crossing at 11.30 pm?
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How did the West Berliners react when they met the East Berliners who crossed the border?
How did the West Berliners react when they met the East Berliners who crossed the border?
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What was the result of Gunther Schabowski's announcement on the Berlin Wall?
What was the result of Gunther Schabowski's announcement on the Berlin Wall?
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What was the mood of the East Berliners who gathered at the crossing points?
What was the mood of the East Berliners who gathered at the crossing points?
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What was the outcome of the events in Czechoslovakia in 1989?
What was the outcome of the events in Czechoslovakia in 1989?
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What was the outcome of the 'palace coup' in Bulgaria?
What was the outcome of the 'palace coup' in Bulgaria?
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What happened to Nicolae Ceaușescu, the Romanian leader?
What happened to Nicolae Ceaușescu, the Romanian leader?
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What was the significance of the events in Czechoslovakia in 1989?
What was the significance of the events in Czechoslovakia in 1989?
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What was the role of Gorbachev in the Bulgarian 'palace coup'?
What was the role of Gorbachev in the Bulgarian 'palace coup'?
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What happened to the Turkish minority in Bulgaria during Zhivkov's rule?
What happened to the Turkish minority in Bulgaria during Zhivkov's rule?
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What was the outcome of the mass demonstrations in Czechoslovakia in 1989?
What was the outcome of the mass demonstrations in Czechoslovakia in 1989?
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What was the significance of the year 1990 in Bulgaria?
What was the significance of the year 1990 in Bulgaria?
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What was the primary motivation behind the US selling weapons to Iran via Israel?
What was the primary motivation behind the US selling weapons to Iran via Israel?
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What was the outcome of the US invasion of Panama in 1988?
What was the outcome of the US invasion of Panama in 1988?
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What was the significance of the Iran-Contra affair?
What was the significance of the Iran-Contra affair?
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What was the role of Costa Rica's President, Arias, in the Iran-Contra affair?
What was the role of Costa Rica's President, Arias, in the Iran-Contra affair?
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What was the primary focus of the Reagan administration's foreign policy?
What was the primary focus of the Reagan administration's foreign policy?
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What was the significance of the US invasion of Grenada in 1983?
What was the significance of the US invasion of Grenada in 1983?
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What was the result of the US support for the Contras in Nicaragua?
What was the result of the US support for the Contras in Nicaragua?
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What does the Iran-Contra affair reveal about the Reagan administration's values?
What does the Iran-Contra affair reveal about the Reagan administration's values?
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Study Notes
The Reagan Doctrine in Practice
- Reagan prioritized anti-communism over supporting democracy and human rights, with a double standard in favor of dictatorships.
- The Kirkpatrick hypothesis justified this approach, arguing that supporting pro-American dictatorships was better than allowing anti-American regimes to come to power.
El Salvador and Nicaragua
- The US provided substantial aid to the dictatorial regime in El Salvador against Leftist insurgents.
- In Nicaragua, the US supported the Contras in an attempt to overthrow the Sandinistas, leading to international condemnation and a guilty verdict at the International Court for supporting terrorism.
Iran-Contra Affair
- The Boland II amendment prohibited aid to the Contras.
- The US secretly sold arms to Iran through Israel to finance the Contras, leading to a major scandal.
American Invasions
- The US invaded Grenada in 1983 and Panama in 1988.
The End of the Cold War
The Second Cold War
- The Soviet leadership underwent a rapid succession of leaders, including Brezhnev, Andropov, Chernenko, and Gorbachev.
- Reagan's "Evil Empire" speech in 1983 marked a deterioration in US-Soviet relations, with a focus on anti-communist rhetoric and policies.
Strategic Defense Initiative and Operation Able Archer
- The Strategic Defense Initiative, also known as "Star Wars," was a proposed missile defense system.
- Operation Able Archer in 1983 was a NATO military exercise that simulated a nuclear attack on the Soviet Union, leading to a heightened state of alert.
The Fall of the Berlin Wall
- The East German government introduced new travel measures, but the announcement was poorly communicated, leading to confusion and chaos.
- Thousands of East Berliners gathered at the border crossings, and the guards eventually opened the gates, allowing people to cross into West Berlin.
Mikhail Gorbachev and the Reform of the Soviet Union
- Gorbachev introduced reforms, including Glasnost (openness) and Perestroika (restructuring), aimed at improving the Soviet political and economic structures.
- These reforms unleashed uncontrollable forces and eventually led to the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Soviet Foreign Policy and the End of the Cold War
- Gorbachev's foreign policy focused on détente with the West, retreating from Third World conflicts, and reform in Eastern Europe.
- The INF Treaty, signed in 1987, was a major disarmament agreement that reduced the number of nuclear missiles held by both the US and the Soviet Union.
The Impact of Gorbachev's Reforms
- Gorbachev's reforms eventually led to the collapse of the Soviet Union, as the republics and people gained more power and autonomy.
- The Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986 further weakened the Soviet system and encouraged independence movements in Ukraine and Belarus.
Poland and Hungary
- Poland and Hungary were at the forefront of liberalization, with the Solidarity movement in Poland and the introduction of martial law.
- Lech Walesa was a key figure in the Solidarity movement.
The Iranian Revolution and Its Impact on the Middle East
- The Iranian revolution inspired conservative Muslims throughout the Middle East, showing them that it was possible to overthrow corrupt dictators supported by Great Powers and install a religious Islamic regime.
- The revolution sparked a chain of events that led to the creation of ISIS and the current situation in Syria.
The Iraq-Iran War
- The war drained Iraq's finances, leading to a lot of debt to countries like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
- Following arguments between Iraq and both countries about the lack of Arab solidarity and manipulation of oil prices, Iraq decided to invade Kuwait and seize its oil production.
- The Americans intervened to liberate Kuwait, and the UN and the US imposed heavy sanctions on Iraq.
The US Invasion of Iraq and the Creation of ISIS
- The US invaded Iraq, an operation that failed miserably and caused the Sunni resistance forces in Iraq to organize themselves.
- This attracted many extremist Muslims willing to fight Americans and Shia Muslims in Iraq, eventually leading to the creation of ISIS.
- The growth of ISIS was further fueled by Syrian rebels fighting the repressive Syrian government.
The Reagan Doctrine
- The Reagan doctrine stated that "we must not break faith with those who are risking their lives, on every continent, to defy Soviet aggression" and that "support for Freedom fighters is self-defence".
- The doctrine was a call to help people fighting communist regimes, viewing it as an obligation and not an interference, but rather self-defence.
The Iran-Iraq War (Cont.)
- The war escalated with both countries bombing each other's cities, and oil tankers being attacked in the Persian Gulf.
- The targeting of oil tankers pushed oil prices up, increasing Iraq's oil revenues.
- The international community, concerned about rising oil prices, started getting involved, with the Americans increasing their military presence in the Gulf region and escorting oil tankers with military vessels.
Notable Events During the Iran-Iraq War
- On 17 May 1987, Iraqi air fighters fired missiles at the American vessel USS Stark, killing 37 American soldiers and wounding many others.
- On 3 July 1988, the Americans shot down a commercial Iranian airplane flying from Tehran to Dubai, killing nearly 300 passengers.
The Fall of Communism in Eastern Europe
- Poland had been pushing for reforms since the early 1980s, with the free trade union Solidarnost, led by Lech Walesa, becoming increasingly popular.
- The government granted wage increases, a review of sentences on political prisoners, and promising a free trades union, Solidarity.
- Martial Law was introduced, and a military government under General Jaruzelski was installed, but Jaruzelski eventually decided to follow Gorbachev and embrace reform.
The Liberalization of Hungary
- Hungary planned for free multi-party elections in March 1990, and Gorbachev promised to withdraw the Red Army in April 1989.
- The abolition of the Communist regime was completed by October 1989, and the country's borders with Austria were gradually opened, allowing thousands of people, including East Germans, to flee.
The Impact on East Germany
- The events in Eastern Europe, particularly in Hungary, had an impact on East Germany, with protesters demanding reforms and more freedom.
- When Gorbachev visited East Germany in October 1989, he accused Honecker, the East German leader, of failing to respond to demands from the people.
- Honecker resigned, and Krenz took over, making concessions with respect to travel restrictions to make it easier to travel to West Berlin.
- A new law was conceived to allow free travel for East Germans, leading to the fall of the Berlin Wall and eventually, German reunification.
Iran-Iraq War
- Iran seized control of Iraqi territories, and Iraq retaliated with poisonous gas attacks on Iran.
- Both countries started bombing each other's cities, and the "tanker war" began, targeting oil tankers in the Persian Gulf.
International Involvement
- The international community became involved due to rising oil prices.
- The Americans increased their military presence in the Gulf region and started escorting oil tankers with military vessels.
Notable Events
- On May 17, 1987, Iraqi air fighters fired missiles at the American vessel USS Stark, killing 37 American soldiers and wounding many others.
- On July 3, 1988, the Americans shot down a commercial Iranian airplane, killing nearly 300 passengers.
Fall of the Berlin Wall
- In 1989, the communist party spokesperson, Gunther Schabowski, announced new travel measures, which were misunderstood, allowing East Germans to travel freely to Western parts, including West Berlin.
- This led to a chain of events that eventually brought down the wall between East and West Berlin.
US Involvement in Latin America
- The US provided substantial aid to support the dictatorial regime in El Salvador against left-wing insurgents.
- The US aided the right-wing Contras against the left-wing Sandinistas in Nicaragua.
- The US blocked World Bank loans to Nicaragua to sabotage Ortega's regime and supported the Contras in their terrorist activities.
Iran-Contra Affair
- The Reagan administration secretly sold US weapons to Iran via Israel to finance the Contras in their fight against the Sandinistas.
- The plan was exposed, and the Contras, who were losing heavily, had to agree to a cease-fire and received amnesty.
US Military Interventions
- The US invaded Grenada in 1983 after a communist takeover.
- The US invaded Panama in 1988 to remove dictator Manuel Noriega, who was involved in drug trafficking.
Eastern European Countries' Transition
- In Bulgaria, a 'palace coup' occurred, replacing Todor Zhivkov with Petar Mladenov, who promised reform and won elections in June 1990.
- In Czechoslovakia, a 'velvet revolution' occurred, with mass demonstrations leading to the resignation of the Politburo, and Alexander Dubček became the speaker of Parliament, and Vaclav Havel became President.
- In Romania, Nicolae Ceausescu was captured and executed after a violent fall from power.
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This quiz explores the application of the Reagan Doctrine during the Cold War, focusing on the US support for anti-communist regimes and insurgent groups, and its impact on democracy and human rights in countries such as El Salvador and Nicaragua.
